Alleged Extortion: Customs Launches Investigation Into Passenger Clearance At Lagos Airport

The Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has refuted allegations of extortion against the GHR Command by an American Returnee, Oke Adhekegba.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Usman Abdul, said the Command has commenced a full-scale investigation to establish the facts of the matter.

According to Abdul, the passenger was accompanied by 10 luggage containing multiple items, including 15 pairs of footwear, 22 bottles of perfume, 12 pieces of bags and numerous new clothing.

He stated that the items are worth N3,113,574 and have a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N1,000,004.

“The attention of the Nigeria Customs Service, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Command, has been drawn to a media report concerning an incident involving a passenger during customs clearance procedures at the Arrival Hall D of the old terminal.

“The incident involves one Mr. Oke Adhekegba, who arrived in Lagos aboard British Airways Flight Number BA-75 from London on Friday, 16th May 2025 at approximately 18:47 hours. Preliminary findings indicate that, following a careful examination by officers of the Service with the name Chief Superintendent of Customs (CSC) KO ADEBAYO and Assistant Superintendent of Customs I (ASC I) CC UGBOMA, the passenger was accompanied by 10 luggages containing multiple items, including 15 pairs of footwear, 22 bottles of perfumes, 12 pieces of bags and numerous new clothing.

“These items were assessed at $1,948.15 upon proper valuation. Using the prevailing exchange rate of N1,598.22, the value in naira amounted to N3,113,574.00. In line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act (NCSA) 2023, the applicable charges which are Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) charge, Import Duty, Surcharge (SUR), ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) Levy, and Value Added Tax (VAT) were computed, amounting to ₦1,000,004.00, which has since been duly remitted into the Federal Government’s coffers (Copy attached).”

The Command, however, reiterated its commitment to facilitating legitimate travel and trade, while upholding zero tolerance for misconduct or abuse of process at all ports of entry.

“As a responsible agency committed to professionalism, transparency, and integrity, the MMIA Command does not condone unethical behaviour or compromise of standard operational procedures by its personnel or members of the travelling public. The Command has therefore commenced a full-scale investigation to establish the facts of the matter.

“While the Command remains open to scrutiny and welcomes constructive engagement from stakeholders, it reiterates that duty must be paid on dutiable items as prescribed by the law. The Command will not hesitate to enforce the relevant provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, where any passenger is found to have breached the law for personal gain.

“The Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command wishes to assure the public of its commitment to facilitating legitimate travel and trade, while upholding zero tolerance for misconduct or abuse of process at all ports of entry.”